Feeling Fishtown... (Philadelphia, Girard, Thompson: real estate, crime, school)

[phillyjawns]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

Well Olney already bottomed out IMO-and is improving today. It is not a bad place-maybe the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the city and the commercial district has held on.

I spent my childhood in Olney, and in the years before I left, I could feel the tension rise, and race became more of a factor in my daily life. Fights and confrontations were common---for no reason at all. Earlier this year, I drove through the area (near Olney Rec), as I do from time to time, to look at the old house, and several people made it very clear that I was not welcome. The circumstances, which I have no interest in going into other than to say that I could have pressed charges for assault/attempted battery, made it feel again like a racial thing, but it's possible it was just someone trying to start trouble. It wasn't a nice area when I lived there as a kid, and it isn't a nice area now. Then again, I suppose it is all relative---it's probably in the middle as far as violent crime goes in Philly.

The homes in East Oak Lane are beautiful, but they aren't plentiful, which has probably been a good thing for the stability of the neighborhood. Many of the people who live there have lived there for many years, and care about their neighborhood. As decent as the neighborhood is compared with what surrounds it, proximity still plays a role from time to time. I always tell people to look at crime maps before moving to identify problem areas, etc., and compare it to your current/past living situations in determining comfort level.

[phillyjawns]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

Really? Mayfair seemed like the stable neighborhood compared to nearby places like Oxford Circle, Lawncrest, Frankford and Tacony. It's not 100% Irish-American anymore, but seems to be doing ok.

My few friends who live in Mayfair tell me it is largely block-by-block these days. Based on their experiences, it certainly *seems* to be in a period of decline.

[2e1m5a]

Originally Posted by phillyjawns

I spent my childhood in Olney, and in the years before I left, I could feel the tension rise, and race became more of a factor in my daily life. Fights and confrontations were common---for no reason at all. Earlier this year, I drove through the area (near Olney Rec), as I do from time to time, to look at the old house, and several people made it very clear that I was not welcome. The circumstances, which I have no interest in going into other than to say that I could have pressed charges for assault/attempted battery, made it feel again like a racial thing, but it's possible it was just someone trying to start trouble. It wasn't a nice area when I lived there as a kid, and it isn't a nice area now. Then again, I suppose it is all relative---it's probably in the middle as far as violent crime goes in Philly.

The homes in East Oak Lane are beautiful, but they aren't plentiful, which has probably been a good thing for the stability of the neighborhood. Many of the people who live there have lived there for many years, and care about their neighborhood. As decent as the neighborhood is compared with what surrounds it, proximity still plays a role from time to time. I always tell people to look at crime maps before moving to identify problem areas, etc., and compare it to your current/past living situations in determining comfort level.

Thanks for the insight. I grew up in Mount Airy and back in the day everyone in the neighborhood went to Cardinal Dougherty, so there is some back and forth between the two neighborhoods. East Oak Lane reminds me very much of where I grew up in East Mount Airy.

Originally Posted by phillyjawns

My few friends who live in Mayfair tell me it is largely block-by-block these days. Based on their experiences, it certainly *seems* to be in a period of decline.

To be honest The Northeast had always been my least favorite part of the city-only recently have I come to appreciate it, but it is sad to see some of it in decline-Mayfair does seem to be on a block to block basis now but I do think there are still many strong parts. Fox Chase is a beautiful neighborhood.

[phillyjawns]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

Thanks for the insight. I grew up in Mount Airy and back in the day everyone in the neighborhood went to Cardinal Dougherty, so there is some back and forth between the two neighborhoods. East Oak Lane reminds me very much of where I grew up in East Mount Airy.

I have fond memories of the area around Cardinal Dougherty. For one, I remember watching the Sears Tower implosion from the field there. It was probably not as exciting as being right there, but it was cool nonetheless. And we used to play soccer across the street at Sturgis too---simpler times! Anyway, I totally agree! The homes in East Mt. Airy and East Oak Lane are very similar and quite beautiful. I see definite similarities in the character of the neighborhoods. From a people perspective, Mt. Airy has always felt generally more idiosyncratic compared with East Oak Lane, although I can't say if that's true today. Both always seemed to have strong communities with people who care about their neighborhood and its people.

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

To be honest The Northeast had always been my least favorite part of the city-only recently have I come to appreciate it, but it is sad to see some of it in decline-Mayfair does seem to be on a block to block basis now but I do think there are still many strong parts. Fox Chase is a beautiful neighborhood.

I agree re:Fox Chase. I know a few people who live there, and from what they describe, it is still a great neighborhood. Between Burholme and the public pool, we had a blast anytime we went up there!

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

To be honest The Northeast had always been my least favorite part of the city-only recently have I come to appreciate it, but it is sad to see some of it in decline-Mayfair does seem to be on a block to block basis now but I do think there are still many strong parts. Fox Chase is a beautiful neighborhood.

I don't think anyone would apply the word "beautiful" to Oxford Circle, but the 18 months I spent living just off it (on a lovely block lined with London plane trees and English picturesque-style row homes built ca. 1946) were a real eye-opener.

That was my introduction to the Northeast as little United Nations. For those of you who may have missed the memo, the neighborhoods of the Lower Northeast above Northwood have become the city's immigrant magnet, and they've changed the character of the area dramatically - for the better, multiculturally speaking, and probably economically speaking too.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

... the city's immigrant magnet, and they've changed the character of the area dramatically - for the better, multiculturally speaking, and probably economically speaking too.

Perhaps but if we call Castor the main drag of that immigrant hub, it’s certainly not cleaner. I haven’t seen that much litter and trash on sidewalks/streets since Washington Ave. circa 1985.

[2002 Subaru]

Originally Posted by PHL10

Perhaps but if we call Castor the main drag of that immigrant hub, it’s certainly not cleaner. I haven’t seen that much litter and trash on sidewalks/streets since Washington Ave. circa 1985.

But that's part of the new inhabitants charm ... and let's not even talk about the increase in crime and rude behavior.

[eureka1]

Fishtown was featured on HGTV's House Hunters the other night. Nice row houses for under $250K.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by eureka1

Fishtown was featured on HGTV's House Hunters the other night. Nice row houses for under $250K.

Where?

[eureka1]

They didn't give street names.